Surrogacy in India
Population and Societies
n° 537, October 2016
While gestational surrogacy is illegal in France, it is authorized in other countries, such as India. Drawing upon a study of Indian surrogates, Indian and foreign intended parents pursuing surrogacy, as well as physicians, lawyers and Indian clinic and agency managers, Virginie Rozée, Sayeed Unisa and Elise de La Rochebrochard describe how surrogacy services are organized in India and examine the expectations and rationales of the protagonists.
Surrogacy is a highly controversial practice both in France and across the world. Little is known, however, about the representations and experiences of the people involved. A study of physicians, intended parents and surrogates conducted in India reveals a complex reality, simultaneously described as a "win-win” solution and as a difficult choice with some inherent risks. Following recent political changes in India, surrogacy is now only available to Indian
couples, but the same questions arise in new surrogacy destinations.
